Bbc Hebrew Program, to Be Suspended, Costs Far Less Than Arab Broadcasts

October 9, 1968

LONDON (Oct. 8)

The British Broadcasting Corp. Hebrew short-wave program which the Foreign Office will suspend this month for economic reasons cost less than $48,000 per annum compared to $840,000 spent annually for the BBC’s Arab broadcasts, it was revealed in the House of Lords today. The disclosure was made by Lord Chalfont. Minister of State for the Foreign Office, who was challenged on the subject by Laborite peer. Lord Wells Pestell.

The latter accused the Foreign Office of making concessions to the Arabs by shutting down the Hebrew broadcasts, scheduled to end Oct. 27. He noted that the Hebrew program was on the air only three and one-half hours a week compared to 70 for the Arab broadcasts. Lord Chalfont said the Hebrew service was ending because the Government had reached the conclusion that the money could be used more effectively in other ways, “in particular the expansion of our educational and cultural activities in Israel.”